Let’s Gather

And share some time with each other. I brought up the subject of fishing and sharing a cup of Chile pie as a break from the norm. I’m doing better these days and as far as I know now I don’t have anything going on the 21st of January. The site would be at the Volusia county park where we have Slabfested a few times. The ramp has been filling early so if you plan on fishing it would do you well not to drag your feet if you don’t want to park on the other side of 17-92 and do the walk. Munch time would be about noon and if anyone wants to do a big fish thing, someone besides me will manage that. So speak up everyone and let’s hear what the masses think. Some of our snowbird friends are here and it would be good to press flesh and make new friends. Here’s hoping we can put it all together. I’ve had enough of sitting around.

Include me Skeet...my attendee #'s to be confirmed.:check Need clarification on PRESSING FLESH? (eg.- handshakes, knuckles, booty-bump):dono:popcorn:Rofl

unable to make this outing, sure wish I could, will be watching for other outings.

Count me in. Paula will not be able to make it. so just one for me.

FYI - Crappiemasters(St. Johns) Fr, Sa (20/21)

Sent from my SM-A716U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Thanks guys, look forward to seeing y’all. Ron, we’ll miss ya and make the ones you can. We all know about life getting in the way. I will add a disclaimer too. If it’s cold and rainy the only thing I’ll do is hunker down under a pavilion and eat Chile and drink coffee, I won’t be fishing. None of need to get sick from poor conditions. I’m hoping we can get good enough conditions that we can all enjoy some time together.

I’ve been asked a couple of times in the past little while about the Chile pie gathering. As far as I’m concerned I’m going to do what I proposed. I’d like to see everyone who can figure out how to be there and make a good time of it, no matter how big or small it is. Chile at around noon and if you want to bring anything to add to it, feel free to do so but it’s not required. Hope to see you there and , oh yeah, the fish have been BITIN!!!

I'm bringing some finely shredded cheddar, and mini-Club crackers.:check

Looks like a small group but I’ll enjoy it anyway. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Sadly, didn't see confirmation from Slab or Anchoman.

Sent from my SM-A716U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Gonna cook my Chile on the stove and bring my camp stove to heat it back up. Not sure there’s a plug in at the pavilion. Picked up the fixings a while ago so all I need now is Saturday.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by skeetbum

Gonna cook my Chile on the stove and bring my camp stove to heat it back up. Not sure there’s a plug in at the pavilion. Picked up the fixings a while ago so all I need now is Saturday.

---

there is a plug in at the pavilion.

Sounds like fun I will try to make it there. Yay

Volusia county park, where now exactly? Is it the usual park where we go on lake Monroe you talking about?

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

We will be in town till Monday, how far is the park from Deland?

Sent from my SM-A326U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Slab

Sounds like fun I will try to make it there. Yay

Volusia county park, where now exactly? Is it the usual park where we go on lake Monroe you talking about?

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

---

Yes it is.

Lake Monroe Park

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tom 513

We will be in town till Monday, how far is the park from Deland?

Sent from my SM-A326U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

---

Lake Monroe Park

It's in Debary, 17/92 and the St. Johns River.

About 30 minutes from Deland driving slow. Not a monster full fledged Slabfest but I think it will be fun to see everyone. Supposed to develop rain in the afternoon so I’ll be glad to get on the trailer in time to warm things up.

I will have a prize for bigfish, Lord willing, and the creek don't rise.

Some pictures from the "chili fest" today.

Attachment 447499

Attachment 447500

Attachment 447501

Attachment 447502

some good fish were caught and the chili was great. Thanks Tim

Attachment 447503

This is the only pic I have from today but I’ll be saving those that everyone posts. Our class photographer was there and I’m sure he’ll add a few. I want to say thanks to all that attended. We were a small group but everything went without a hitch. The Chili came out good and there was just enough to go around. The fellowship was outstanding and I’m sure we’ve added another to the fold. This was Ninos first event and he told me that I have to help him find a way to repay everyone for their kindness and friendship he was shown today. I told him that while in some groups that may be the way things are done but with all of us from CDC, this is normal business. I’m confident that I caught 60 fish and threw a limit of keepers back. I kept 3 fish with one over a pound and a half, and those were given away. I hit the ramp about 11:30 and my Queen had the chili hot and ready to eat. I got in my car to leave some 3 hours later, and some were still there! One topic of conversation was that this gathering was good in a lot of ways and should become an annual chilifest or cook off with folks bringing their best efforts. Sounds like a plan to me. The temperature and conditions couldn’t have been better for this with the temps being cool and the wind that was there at daybreak laid down flat by about 10. Once again, I had a ball and thank everyone for taking the time to make it happen. Most of all is a big thanks to Slab for that which brought us all together in the first place for without CDC, we would have been home watching TV and staying warm. Good Job Boss, and thanks for the goodies you brought along.

These were just sent to me
Attachment 447504
Attachment 447505
Attachment 447506

Attachment 447512

The first annual Chili Cookoff was a success. Skeetbum won.

Very nice, way to go guys!

Good pic guys. I love chili.

Looks like you all had a good time. I planned on being there but something came up that keeped me from attending.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

I was looking forward to seeing you Vic, I need to get with you soon.

Very nice 1st time event...fishing was CHILI-Hot!! Congrats Skeet on big fish! Glad to see newbie, Nino, has caught the BUG:cheers2 He was blessed w/a great tutor in Skeetbum. I was appreciatively-thrilled to see JeepJock Jim catch the biggie on my rig!:highfive His PB! 1st and 3rd place weights were separated by a mere 2 Ounces! Great pot o' CHILI Tim and Paulas sweet corn muffins were the best...I kept pokin' around lookin' to find a random Blueberry!:dono Thanks for the folks that showed/shared...of course Slab, who should always be recognized/thanked for the great website/comradarie he initiated over 26 years ago!:Gift Thanks for the prizes Ed!

I got an invite to fish with Doug in a decked out Crappie Fishing Machine he named Thump Therapy. What a blast. I learned a lot about long line trolling and bait presentation. One thing that Doug stressed was to check you baits often for grass and alignment. Doug treated me to some square donuts. They were the bomb and I think a good luck charm. We caught some really nice Crappie and were able to be selective about size. We returned quite a few to the lake. We got into the Sunshine Bass and they can really pull your string on light tackle. When we got back to meet up with the gang at the pavilion we were greeted with hot chili and some tasty muffins. Slab donated a real nice coffee cup, calendar and some decals to the big fish winner. Looking forward to our next outing. Tight Lines.

JJ

Skeet's winner was 1 # 14oz. FYI- Winning Crappiemasters 2023 St. Johns(final 2nd day weigh-in/also yesterday) 10 K payout was a WHOPPING 30.74#'s(14 fish T.C. Loyd/Huffstetler) Congrats Toby/Mike) Whopping stringers of fish were realized. Top tourney fish was 3#, 2.72# was big fish for 1st place team and 11 fish over 2.5# were brought to scale. WOWSAH!!
Skeet's fish was only 3 - 4 ozs. off their average fish. Sure, I know, but they did that with FOURTEEN FISH!:highfive:cheers2

Thanks JJ - however, although your fish was the BOMB!:Fire It was THIRD best= 1 oz. behind NINO, and 2 ozs. behind Skeet! No difference still MADE MY DAY! Good job, thanks for being a great-listener and a quick-learner.:highfive We may not have cornered the top prize yesterday, but we DID have the Donuts Cornered!:Rofl

Somehow I missed your post about this until last night Skeet. I hope everyone had a great and hope to make the next one. Slabfest with good friends and food are the best.

We’ll be looking for you next time SS. Hope everything is good at your house.